Pembrokeshire’s kestrel numbers could soon be on the increase thanks to a local biodiversity project.

Concern for kestrel numbers, which have declining nationally for the past 20 years, prompted the Pembrokeshire Biodiversity Partnership, which includes the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, to examine the threats to successful kestrel breeding, particularly in Pembrokeshire.

Kestrel nest box monitoring has taken place since 2007 and has garnered interesting and significant results.

Project leader, Paddy Jenks, erected 73 nest boxes around the county, at sites where kestrels had been seen hunting.

He monitored these regularly with the aim of understanding the reasons for the scarcity of breeding kestrels.

Last year three pairs of kestrels used the boxes, fledging a total of 13 chicks.

The kestrels occupied boxes in very exposed pasture sites, which are rich in voles and other rodents, and are less prone to attack from other birds, such as buzzards, peregrines and goshawks which are all potential predators.

Mike Howe, Head of Conservation with Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, said:

“Although we don’t fully understand why the population of breeding pairs has declined, this project is indicating what kestrels need in terms of conservation and habitat protection in order to successfully breed in Pembrokeshire."

"We hope the nest box project will help to gradually stabilise and increase the kestrel population over the next few years."